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Disney parks are often a place of refuge. You literally escape to Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, and any thoughts about your 9 to 5 or family dilemmas seem to just disappear once you enter through those gates. You smell that vanilla, and suddenly, everything just magically disappears.
Unfortunately, that is not always the case. There have been many instances where the outside world has affected Disney Parks. Just think about COVID closures! Disney World has closed in the past for hurricanes. Disney even closed its gates after the attacks on 9/11 happened. This week there has been buzz about popular travel destinations being closed or shut down due to safety reasons.
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The latest effect on a Disney Park from the outside world could impact your travel to Europe. Paris, the city of lights, the city of love, is so often over-romanticized. Just thoughts of Paris evoke coffee shops and bakeries with the perfect little croissants, expensive designer clothing labels like Chanel, with model-like women walking the cobblestone streets in stilettos. Paris to many, seems like a fantasy world.
This week Paris turned from dream to nightmare. With the news that the retirement age in France was changing from 62 to 64, it is understandable why many French citizens of all ages are taking to the streets to protest and strike. CNN stated that the protests even got violent as several people were tear-gassed and riot police had to be called upon.
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Many of the iconic Parisian destinations have not looked so picture perfect as they do in your mind or, well Emily in Paris. As of March 20, 2023, there have been four days of major strikes with the biggest being Paris’ sanitation department. The streets of Paris are filled with trash, and some Parisians are going as far as lighting those piles of trash on fire. Paris has been ablaze at night, and many popular tourist destinations have been closed due to these ongoing strikes. Could Disneyland Paris be next?
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Disneyland Paris has so far remained safe with no strikes or protests…or anything up in flames. This is mainly because Disneyland Paris actually is not in Paris! Disneyland Paris is located about 20 miles outside of Paris in Coupvray, France.
The two theme parks, Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Park are also about one hour away from Paris’ airports, and a short two-minute walk from the Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy train station. While the protests are not visible from within the Parks, it is possible that Guests in Paris will encounter the situation as they travel to and from the theme parks and wherever they are staying near the city.
As well as Disney World, Disneyland Paris is currently at the tail end of an anniversary celebration. While Disney World is celebrating its 50-year anniversary, Disneyland Paris is celebrating 30 years of magic. Both celebrations will conclude within the next few months. With ample security, there will most likely not be any protests of similar nature but some Disney employees might strike themselves or attend protests.
